OUTLINE

1. DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
COURSE OUTLINE
UGRC: 143 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN OUR LIVES
EARTH RESOURCES
SECOND SEMESTER, 2014/2015
COURSE CODE: UGRC 143
COURSE TITLE: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN OUR LIVES (EARTH RESOURSES)
CREDITS: 3 CREDITS HOURS
LECTURER: DR. LARRY PAX CHEGBELEH
GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is aimed at providing students with the basic understanding of what
resources are in general and with specific emphasis on earth resources. While
some of these recourses are on earth and easily accessible, others are deeply
situated and may require advanced techniques to get assess. The course will
assist students appreciate the fundamentals of scientific thought and the
application of science and technology in gaining access to many of the resources
that are hidden deep beneath the earth. The significance of these resources to
everyday life will be greatly emphasized. Students will also be made to
understand the various environmental impacts associated with gaining access to
these resources and the need to properly control the environment for sustainable
livelihoods.

2. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
This course is designed to let students appreciate the fact that the earth is
endowed with rich resources which can be used in diverse ways for the benefit of
human kind. However, the existence of these resources can be ruined without
pragmatic control measures. To achieve this purpose, the following objectives are
considered:
 Identify some of the major earth resources
 Describe the major rocks types, their composition and other resources
beneath the earth and economic benefits.
 Develop the understanding of the various forms of energy , importance
and conservation
 Create the awareness of the various impacts of anthropogenic activities
on the environment and preventive and remediation techniques.
COURSE CONTENT
The course covers the following topics:
Resources, Mineral resources, Energy resources, Ground resource, Fossil and
fuels.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
It is expected that by the end of this course students will be able:
 Figure out what resources are and the various components associated with
resources.
 Differentiate between renewable, non-renewable and inexhaustible
resources
 Understand the major rock types, associated mineral deposits and uses
 Appreciate the significance of energy transformation and applicability
 Describe various units/terms associated with groundwater resources
 Have good knowledge on how oil and gas are formed
 Appreciate the need for sustainable use of resources
RECOMMENDED LEARNING MATERIALS

3. Most of the text books (physical and environmental Geology Books) can be
found in the earth science department library
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENT
I. The course will be delivered through lectures, class discussions and
exercises.
II. Mode of evaluation will be through continuous assessment (Class
Attendance Plus Exercises) and written examinations( Interim Assessment
and Main Exams)
III. Class attendance is compulsory and students will be rewarded for regular
attendance. Class attendance will be taken.
IV. Continuous assessment = 30 marks and main exams = 70 marks
Week 1
Introduction
 introduci g stude ts to the course (What is UGRC, it’s structure a d
significance)
 introducing students to UGRC 143 (Earth Resources)
 objectives of the course and the expected outcomes
 course content and recommended learning materials
 methods of instruction and mode of assessment
 setting of class norms ( for effective teaching and learning)
Weeks 2,3 & 4
Resources
 defining resources in general and earth resources in particular
 types of resources: renewable, non-renewable and inexhaustible resources
 resource management and the 3Rs of resource management
 people, standard of living, world population scenario and impact on earth
resources

4.  environment and environmental problems
 resources vs. reserves
 defining the major rock types
 explaining the formation of the major rock types
 major classification of rock types
Weeks 5 & 6
Mineral resources
 Elements as building blocks of minerals
 Stating the characteristics of minerals
 Identifying the various formations of minerals
 Explaining the types of mineral deposits
 Differentiating between metallic and non-metallic materials
 Identifying the mineral extraction method
 Understanding the environmental problems associated with mineral
extraction
Weeks 7 & 8
Energy resources
 Defining energy
 Various forms of energy and conservation of energy
 Alternative energy sources
 Nuclei power: fission and fusion
 Hydroelectric power
 Solar energy
 Wind energy
 Geothermal energy and its applications
 Biogas
 Environmental considerations of geo thermal power and limitations
Week 9
Groundwater resources

5.  Reviewing global water budgets
 Understanding the hydrologic cycle
 Subsurface water resources : defining basic terminologies
 Factors affecting ground water ability
INTERIM ASSESMENT (SATURDAY)
Week 10
Groundwater resources (cont.)
 Effects of groundwater withdrawals
 Other environmental problems associated with groundwater
 Defining water pollution
 Causes and effects of water pollution
 Controlling water pollution
 Groundwater quality problems in Ghana
Weeks 11, 12, & 13
Fossils and Fuels
 Defining the characteristics of fuels
 Formation of oil and natural gas
 Distribution of petroleum
 Highlighti g so e of the orld’s ost producti e sedi e tary basins
 The origin of oil and gas
 Hydrocarbon expulsion and migration
 The petroleum system
 Describing the search of petroleum reservoirs
 Oil and gas production at the refinery
 Oil spillage.
Week 14
Revision

6. Weeks 15 & 16
Second semester exams
DESIGNED BY
SHAIBU